I am honored and humbled to have studied with Jill Carver for a week in Texas. The workshop was stationed out of the West 1077 Ranch in Bandera where we were treated like royalty, ate incredible food and had insightful conversations amongst ourselves. What a week!
The workshop itself was inspirational and FULL of concepts, specifics and thought processes. Jill shared many aspects of her painting process including basic technical perspectives, time management, ideas and focal areas as well as philosophies of working. It was an opportunity that I am thrilled to have had! My mind is swimming in potential!
I have gained so much from the workshop. One practice that I am excited to hold dear is taking time for observation and analyzing what it is that I am observing - specifically. My primary interest in plein air work is observation, so it only makes sense that I would be as complete as possible with it. However, I learned in the workshop that I tend to get distracted by the quickly changing light and want to 'get to work' right away. Jill often had us on a timer where up to 1/2 of the 'painting' time was on doing notans, trying a variety of different horizon lines...or angle changes. The goal was to slow down and REALLY look at what had interested us and what our focal area would be...THEN paint. I LOVED the practice and found that I am much more grounded and confident as to what it is I am observing. Since returning from Texas, I have found that this practice alone has changed my world!
My head is still swimming... but I am settling in to some of the things I have learned and am feeling very grateful!
I have a special spot in my heart for Jill and the group of incredible artists that were there with me for the week!
Photo credits: Molly Johnson